Remembering history: Union troops begin march to Kinston

Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 10:58 PM.

Meanwhile, the pioneers, working with the engineers, had pushed forward during the night, clearing trees the Confederates had cut across the road and rebuilding wooden bridges that had been burned.

In 1862, Trent Road forked near Sasser’s Mill. The road leading drictly to Kinston was called Lower Trent Road and it intersected with Dover Road at Wyse Forks. The Upper Trent Road today is Middle Road and it intersects N.C. 58 at Leslie White’s Store. Both roads cross Southwest Creek, which was the Confederates’ outer line of defense for Kinston.

Two other roads also led into Kinston: the Neuse Road and the Wilmington Road, which is now U.S. 258.

Breakout box:

A look at history

Local historian Dr. Lonnie Blizzard has written a series of stories about the First Battle of Kinston, which took place Dec. 13-14, 1862; those stories will appear today through Saturday in The Free Press. There are also two opportunities for you to interact with history:

By late fall 1862, Gen. John G. Foster, commander of the Union forces at New Bern, had built the strength of his forces to about 18,000. He was ready to move further inland and try to cut off supply routes to the Confederate troops in Virginia.

On Dec. 11, 1862 — 150 years ago today — on what was described as a “splendid winter morning,” Foster ordered the expedition to proceed. His forces for the march numbered about 12,000, including 10,000 infantry, 300 pioneers (black troops), 40 pieces of artillery, 640 cavalry and more than 200 supply wagons.

The 3rd New York Cavalry was dispatched as scouts on the advance and on the side of the march. They were to act as provost guards to protect homes and probe the Confederate defenses.

Foster took Trent Road west from New Bern. The Confederates obstructed his way by falling trees, burning bridges and setting up pickets. Foster was not pleased because he only advanced 14 miles on the first day. The column of troops was more than four and a half miles long.

Today, Trent Road out of New Bern is Trent Boulevard. It intersects with U.S. 17 and roughly follows it to Ten Mile Fork. There, Trent Road follows Ten Mile Fork Road across N.C. 41, where it changes its name to Wyse Fork Road.

About four miles west of Ten Mile Fork, Foster ordered his troops to make camp. During the night, some of the infantry advanced through the swamps to within three miles of Trenton. They engaged a company of Confederate troops and battled for a short time. A number of Confederates were killed or wounded, including the company captain. Four Union soldiers were taken prisoner by the Confederates and two were wounded.

The night was cold, especially for the troops trying to get their rest in bed rolls and sleeping out in the open. In fact, the water in their containers froze during the night. They were awakened the next morning to the sound of drumbeats. Roaring fires were built from rail fencing. It warmed the men and thawed their water. After a hearty breakfast of hardtack and coffee, Foster ordered the march to continue.

Meanwhile, the pioneers, working with the engineers, had pushed forward during the night, clearing trees the Confederates had cut across the road and rebuilding wooden bridges that had been burned.

In 1862, Trent Road forked near Sasser’s Mill. The road leading drictly to Kinston was called Lower Trent Road and it intersected with Dover Road at Wyse Forks. The Upper Trent Road today is Middle Road and it intersects N.C. 58 at Leslie White’s Store. Both roads cross Southwest Creek, which was the Confederates’ outer line of defense for Kinston.

Two other roads also led into Kinston: the Neuse Road and the Wilmington Road, which is now U.S. 258.

Breakout box:

A look at history

Local historian Dr. Lonnie Blizzard has written a series of stories about the First Battle of Kinston, which took place Dec. 13-14, 1862; those stories will appear today through Saturday in The Free Press. There are also two opportunities for you to interact with history: